Celia Bridle - 'Linear Continuity'

Wednesday 6 June - Sunday 1 July 2018

Celia Bridle’s imagery continues her interest in the interplay between her drawing and painting and contemporary media, in particular, digital printing. Her images on display here, are exhibited as digital prints, the same size as the original image.

The images were composed by hand, placing pieces of the artist’s drawing, painting and other elements, on a flat surface and then scanning and printing them onto archival paper. By drawing and painting on the printed image, the image is developed, often painting with the aid of a magnifying glass. With more composing, scanning and printing, many layers of drawing and painting accumulate and display a richly detailed surface, an amalgam of lines and marks, as in ‘Linear Continuity’, which expresses a detailed and at times, microscopic viewpoint.

Bridle’s drawing style embodies many influences, including the historical yet enduring art form of engraving-style drawing. Developed principally for the engraving and printing process, the strength of this technique lies in manipulating line to give texture to the surface of artwork. This rare technique is still taught in certain settings and Bridle studied with professional engravers in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Fluidity and movement are generated by the linear nature of Bridle’s imagery, where sweeping lines combine to suggest a surface surging with energy. Readings of movement, delicacy, and intricacy are heightened by the cumulative effect of subtle textural detail. Flowing linear patterns, streams of light and swirling rhythms express an ordered yet mobile, surprising and intriguing profusion.